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The Things Money Can Buy
My random thought for the day
Happy February, all!
I have been thinking about money today and what it can and cannot buy. Over the years, I’ve heard many people say that money cannot buy happiness. I have a clear memory of a therapist telling me this in college after I told him about my financial struggles. I shared that I wished I could pay for my education like my wealthy classmates could. He dismissed me with a “PSHT!” and a wave of his hand. Then he proudly declared, “Money can’t buy happiness!” and grinned at me like he’d offered sage life advice that would solve my problems.
(He was annoying if you can’t tell!)
I shake my head when I think about this encounter. I did not say I wished to buy happiness. I wanted to buy access to education. That is not the same thing. He completely missed the mark. Telling a person who struggles financially that “Money can’t buy happiness!” is like telling a depressed person to “Look on the bright side!” It’s a form of toxic positivity that isn’t helpful.
Here are things money CAN buy:
- Food
- Shelter
- Home heating
- Medicine
- Healthcare
- Education
- Transportation
